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• 



A SHORT HISTORY 

or THE 

EIFE AND SERVICES 

OF 



GEM. WHjMAM HEMY HARBISON, 



SAMUEL J. BAYARD. 



«r- 



A SHORT HISTORY 



OF THE 

LIFE AND SERVICES OF 

GEN. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, 

COMPILED FROM CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENTS, OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE, AND OTHER 

AUTHENTIC SOURCES^ 




-^♦^©^H*- 



INTRODUCTION. 



It falls to the lot of few, and it is in 
the power and disposition of still fewer, 
to win that applause which rewards the 
Patriot Soldier, and the honest Statesman. 
Under a republican form of government, 
the people ought carefully to cherish the 
memory of such. Unless public virtue is 
rewarded with the public gratitude, the dis- 
tinction between political vice and political 
virtue is abolished. It is a duty, then, of 
all good citizens, to award to our public 
worthies their just recompense of honor, 
to defend them when unjustly assailed, to 
rejoice in their vindication, and by no 
means to permit them to be traduced or 
stigmatized with unjust opprobrium. 

The great achievements of William 
Henry Harrison, both in civil and milita- 
ry employments, form a portion of our na- 
tional renown. His history is blended 
with the national history. His fame is the 
property of the nation, ft is a treasure 
which no Patriot would desire to see di- 
minished by the detraction of party spirit. 

Thousands of those who followed his vic- 
torious banners and now enjoy the bles- 
sings secured by his wisdom and valor, in 
their homes beyond the mountains,consider 
him as the Father of the West, and next 
to the immortal Washington, as the great- 
est benefactor of the Republic. But mil- 
lions have come into existence since the 
fame of his victories and the lustre of his 
civil administration of the Western Terri- 
tory were fresh in the minds of the people. 
And too many who would have been pro- 



nounced traitors twenty-five years ago, 
had they dared to lisp a calumny on the 
name of Harrison, now in the wanton spir- 
it of party hatred, boldly assail the long 
worn laurels of the illustrious veteran. 

The public service of General Harrison 
extends through a period of near forty 
years. The chief portion of that period 
embraces the most bitter party contests 
which the country has experienced. The 
most active services of General Harrison 
were performed in the employment of the 
democratic administrations of Mr. Jeffer- 
son and Mr. Madison. And most, if not 
all the assaults upon the reputation of Har- 
rison can be traced to the federal press, 
during the war, which waged perpetual 
hostilities on those democratic adminis- 
trations, and all in authority under them. 
It is from the dust and oblivion of such 
sources that the materials are now ob- 
tained to vilify the name of a man, whose 
fame is dear to the hearts of his country. 
But it will be found that his claim 



men. 



to the gratitude of the nation is too well es, 
tablished to be slighted or undermined at 
this late day. 

The facts recorded in the following pages 
are attested by a cloud of witnesses, and 
can never he denied nor disproved. They 
will be found fully corroborated by the tes- 
timony of Harrison's most determined po- 
litical opponents. The Life of General 
Harrison, written many years since by 
Moses Dawson, of Cincinnati, (a prominent 
supporter of Mr. Van Buren, and who was 



tif»|j w iattal ;<> 'mikt.-iI Jackson, a Receiver 
of a Land < Office in Ohio,) has furnished the 
compiler with a considerable portion of his 
materials. Mr. Dawson, in his fcrife oi 
Genera] Harrison, triumphantly vindicates 
him from all the aspersions of hid envious 
and jealous rivals. 

chapter 1. 
Birth, Parentage, Education, and the com- 
mencement of his Military career. 
William Henrv Harrison was born at 
Berkley, Virginia, on the 9th of February, 
1773. He came of a Patriot stock. 1 lis 
father was Benjamin Harrison, one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
As a Member of Congress and as Gover- 
nor of Virginia, Benjamin Harrison ren- 
dered invaluable services to his country. 
1 [e was in Congress during the memorable 
years of 1774, '75, and '70. Ho was 
chairman of the Board of War, and acted 
as chairman of the committee of the whole 
Mouse, when the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence was considered. 1 le was subse- 
quently Speaker of the House of Delegates 
and Governor of Virginia. He expended 
in the cause of his country a fine estate, 
and left to a large family only the legacy 
of a good name anil good principles. "Wil- 
liam Henry, his third son, was educated at 
Hampden Sidney College^ and at the. age 
of 17 commenced, under Dr. Rush, in Phil- 
adelphia, the study of) medicine. 

At this period the whole western frontier 
was alarmed with the hostile operations of 
the Indian nations in that quarter, With 
•■very breeze came intelligence of their fe- 
rocious incursions. Horrible details filled 
the papers of women and children slain oi- 
led into captivity, — of the hardy settler 
down in his eoni fit Id or beleaguered in his 
log cabin. Sometimes he was waylaid in 
his path, and often awakened by the, mid- 
night bla/.e of his habitation, ar-.d the war- 
whoop of his savage enemy. Two armies, 
those, of llarmar and St. Clair, were in 
succession almost completely annihilated. 
Dismay and terror pervaded the frontier 
and effectually checked the progress of the 
western settlements. 

Born with a generous and noble dis- 
position, ihe bosom of the youthful Har- 
rison kindled with patriotic ardor to 
hasten to the succor of his bleeding coun- 



try. He burned to avenge her injuries, 

to chastise the barbarian foe, to re- 
store peace and safety to the harrassed 
pioneer. I [e unfolded his views to his 
guardain, the celebrated Financier, Robert 

Morris, who discouraged his enterprising 
determination, and depicted a campaign 
against the Indians as the most perilous 
and least glorious of any. He told him that 
defeat by such a foe was sure disgrace, and 
that victory over him was not rewarded by 
the brightest laurels. Hut no remonstran- 
ces or discouragements could divert this 
brave young man from bis settled purpose. 
His application to President Washington 
for military employment was gratified. 
He received a commission as Ensign in 
the artillery, and immediately departed for 
the scene of hostilities at the west; Thus, 
at the early age of 19,commenced the pub- 
lic services ai' William Henry Harrison. 
The pursuits of literature, the security and 
luxury of an Atlantic, city, the pleasures 
and comforts of city life, the social inter- 
course, ami powerful patronage of his fath- 
er's distinguished friends and revolutionary 
<• impauioiis, were all relinquished without 
a sigh. He-turned his back on all these 
fascinating allurements, to plunge into the 
deep forest where prowled the crafty In- 
diau. He repaired to the post of danger 
where active service against the enemies 
of the country was to be performed. None 
but a youth whose heart was moulded-after 
an heroic model, would thus have acted. 

Harrison arrived at Fort Washington. 
the scite of the present city of Cincinnati, 
a short period subsequent to the < 1 . - 1 ". at of 
GeneTal St. Clair. This terrible disaster 
gave the combined Indian forces the com- 
mand of the whole Northwestern Territory, 
and left the. .scattered settlements of the 
West alujpst entirely at their mercy. 

The fir>t duty Harrison performed was 
that ol visiting the battle ground where St. 
Clair was defeated, and giving honorable 
burial to the remains ol the unfortunate. 
men who there fell. It was in the depth 
of winter, and the young soldier " marcjied 

on fool through the snow, at the head of his 
detachment, with his knapsack on his back, 
to the lata] ground."* 



liurtH UV Bp 



8 



CHAPTER 2. 

The campaign of General Anthony Wayne, 
and the Bailie of the Miami Rapids. 
The spirit of the country was only roused 
and invigorated by the calamity of St. Clair. 
' In 1792, another army was called into the 
field. Gen. Washington appointed to the 
chief command of this army, the celebrated 
Gen. Anthony Wayne. Distinguished for 
impetuous valor, great sagacity, prudence, 
perseverance and resource of mind, Gen. 
Wayne enjoyed the confidence of the peo- 
pl e, the army and the Government. Bold, 
but cautious, he combined, in happy union, 
the qualities of tremendous energy* and the 
most wary vigilance. He was a thorough 
and indefatigable disciplinarian, and yet, 
notwithstanding, the idol of his army. — 
Harrison, now a lieutenant, was ordered to 
repair to the standard of this accomplished 
soldier. He had been but a short time in 
the camp of Wayne, when his martial bear- 
ing, his observance of discipline, activity, 
promptitude and intrepidity, attracted the 
military eye and secured the confidence of 
his General. Harrison was appointed one 
of the aids of Wayne, and acted in that ca- 
pacity until the close of the war. In the 
military family and under the tuition of this 
renowned General, Harrison acquired a 
knowledge of tactics. He acquired, also, 
those habits and that discipline which were 
eminently useful to him in after life. 

Gen. W r ayne penetrated cautiously but 
steadily into the heart of the hostile coun- 
try, driving before him the confederated 
tribes. It was not, however, until August, 
1794, that he succeeded in bringing the In- 
dians to a general action. On the twenti- 
eth of that month, near the Rapids of the 
Miami river, Gen. Wayne engaged the 
combined force of the Indian nations then 
in arms. The Indians were defeated with 
great slaughter after a hard fought battle, 
which humbled them for many years. In 
this action, the first he ever witnessed, Har- 
rison bore a conspicuous part. His cool- 
ness, decision and valor, won for him the 
admiration of the whole army and the 
warmest commendations of his General. 
There are soldiers still living who were in 
that battle, who delight to expatiate on the 
gallant behaviour of Harrison on that bloo- 
dy field. In his despatches to the Presi- 
dent, after his victory, Gen. Wayne says : 



" The bravery and conduct of every officer be- 
longing to the army, from the generals down to the 
ensigns, merit my highest approbation. There 
were, however, some whose rank and situation 
placed their conduct in a very conspicuous point 
of view, and which I observed with pleasure and 
the most lively gratitude ; among whom I beg 
leave to mention Brigadier General Wilkinson, 
and Colonel Mamtramck, the commandant of the 
right and left wings of the legion, whose brave ex- 
ample inspired the troops ; and to these I must 
add the names of my faithful and gallant aids, 
decamp Captains De Butts and T. Lewis, and 
Lieutenant HARRISON, who, with the Adjutant 
General Major Mills, rendered the most essential 
service by communicating my orders in every di- 
rection, AND BY TAEIR CONDUCT AND BRAVERY EX- 
CITING THE TROOl'S TO TRESS FOR VICTORY." 

Thus, on this first occasion which of- 
fered, we find young Harrison winning an 
honorable name and establishing a title to 
the gratitude of his country. He has now 

become no longer unknown to fame. 

From this period henceforth his deeds and 
services are recorded among the archives 
of his country, and the first historian ofhis 
achievements is General Anthony Wayne, 
the Hero of Stoney Point and the favorite 
General of the great WASHINGTON, 

CHAPTER 3. 

Is appointed Captain ; Secretary of the N. 

W. Territory ; Delegate to Congress, and 

Governor of Indiana. 

The decisive victory cf Gen. Wayne 
broke up the dangerous and formidable con- 
federacy of the North- West Indians, and 
restored tranquility to the frontier. In 
1795 the Indians sued for peace, and Har- 
rison, under the superintendence of Gen. 
Wayne, assisted in negotiating the famous 
Treaty of Greenville, which established our 
relations with the north-west tribes. 

Soon after the battle of Miami, Harrison 
was promoted by Gen. Washington to a 
captaincy and stationed at Fort Washing- 
ton. There he became acquainted with 
and married the daughter of Judge Sym- 
mes, the proprietor of a large tract of coun- 
try between the Big and Little Miamis. — 
This amiable lady has always been distin- 
guished for benevolence and piety, fulfilling 
with eminent fidelity all the duties of wife 
and mother. She is still the living consola- 
tion of his advancing years, and the witness 
of the new honors which a grateful country 
may have in reserve for him. 

The inactive garrison life of a soldier, in 
a period of profound peace, wa$ unsuited to 



the tn*ts and ardent disposition of Harrison. 
In 1797 he resigned his commission in the 
army and retired to private life. lie was, 
however, soon summoned to the service of 
his country in her civil department, and 
received the appointment of Secretary of 
the North-West Territory, and vx-ojjicio 
Lieutenant Governor. Thus, at the age 
of 24, we find him commencing his career 
of civil employment, placed in a position of 
great responsibility and requiring the ex- 
ercise of talents of a high order. In 179q 
the North-Western Territory became enti- 
tled to send a Delegate to Congress. The 
eyes of the people were directed to Harri- 
son, and he was elected the first Delegate 
of the Territory to Congress. When we 
consider how many and important duties 
devolve on the first Delegate lo Congress 
from a new Territory, we shall be able to 
appreciate with what high confidence in his 
abilities and integrity the people of the N. 
W. Territory must have been inspired. — 
Previous to his election he met with much 
opposition from some of the settlers, who 
had landed disputes with Judge Symmes, 
the father-in-law of Harrison. They sup- 
posed that he would feel interested in pro- 
moting the views of his father-in-law ad- 
versely to their claims. They were hap- 
pily surprised when they found in Gen. 
Harrison a warm advocate ot their wishes. 
He considered that the welfare of the Ter- 
ritory would be promoted by their success, 
and that what*, ver might be his own or his 
father-in-law's interests, his duty required 
him to support the claims of the poor set- 
tler. Accordingly, after taking his scat in 
Congress, he ably and satisfactorily vindi- 
cated the claims o*f the settlers and estab- 
lished them in possession of their lands. In 
this act, at the outset of his political liie, he 
thus displayed that heroic independence of 
sordid and selfish considerations which has 
ever since characterized his career. In- 
deed, as we proceed in his history, this will 
be found a peculiar trait in his character. 
The acquisition of property seems never to 
have been with him a motive of action. — 
The love of laudable distinction— a desire 
to discharge his duty and his whole duty 
— to advance the welfare and the glorj oi 
his country, these were the objects ol his 
ambition. With his patriotic eve thus di- 
rected, ho overlooked the opportunities of 



amassing wealth, and herded not the gain- 
fid chances of speculation. 

At the period when General Harrison 
entered Congress as a Delegate of the 
Northwest Territory, the public lands 
could be purchased of Government only in 
tracts of about 4000 acres. The fact was, 
therefore, that none but the wealthy could 
buy the public lands. The poor man could 
only obtain them at second hand of the spec- 
ulator, at an advanced price. The effect 
of this unfortunate mode of selling the west- 
ern lands, was seriously to retard the set- 
tlement of the western country. The har- 
dy and enterprising emigrant was compel- 
led to purchase of the monopolist and pav 
a monopoly price for his lands, and too of- 
ten to experience the grasping exactions of 
his greedy creditor. To destroy entirely 
this odious and pernicious system was one 
of the first objects of Harrison's exertions 
after taking his seat in Congress. He 
brought the subject before the House of 
Representatives and pressed it upon tho 
consideration of members with zeal and en- 
ergy. He succeeded in obtaining a com. 
mittce to consider the question. He was 
himself appointed chairman of that com- 
mittee, (the only instance of a delegate from 
a territory ever acting in such capacity,) 
and as such, made an able report, the sug- 
gestions contained in which, are the basis 
of the present admirable system of disposing 
of the public domain. The report conclu- 
ded by recommending the s£le of the pub- 
lic landsin small parcels. A bill was accor- 
dingly introduced with provisions to that ef- 
fect. It encountered violent opposition in its 
passage through Congress. But thecnlight- 
encd and liberal views, the powerful argu- 
ments and eloquent appeals of Harrison fi- 
nally prevailed, and the bill became a law. 
The consequences of this memorable act of 
Congress were immediately perceived in 
the increased progress of the western set- 
tlements. It stimulated emigration to a 
vast extent. Swarms of hardy eastern and 
northern farmers repaired to the cheap and 
fertile lands now offered for their selection. 
The whole western country leaped forward 
as it were with a bound. From the adop- 
tion of that act of Congress we may date the 
commencement oi that wonderful devel- 
opment of national wealth and resources 
in the west, which is bearing our country, 



as on eagle wings, forward on her career of 
power, opulence and grandeur. To Har- 
rison the chief glory of this change of the 
national policy must forever be ascribed. 
Doubtless at a later day it might have been 
accomplished without his agency, but that 
it received the sanction of Congress at that 
early day, can only be attributed to his in- 
defatigable and persevering exertions. 

To have been instrumental in procuring 
the enactment of a law, so beneficent and 
glorious in its consequences, would of itself 
have been sufficient to immortalize any 
statesman. And had Harrison died on the 
morning of its adoption, his memory would 
have lived through all time. He would 
have been venerated forever as the Father 
of the West. Western States would have 
vied in doing homage to his worth, and 
western generations delighted in his praise. 
The famous alien and sedition laws were 
adopted during this session of Congress. 
It has been attempted to connect General 
Harrison's name with these unpopular 
measures. The falsity of such attempts 
will readily appear when it is considered 
that a Delegate from a Territory has no 
vote in Congress. He is there to attend 
to the interests "of the Territory, and no 
Delegate ever takes part in any discussions 
but what relate to his Territory or its im- 
mediate welfare. The consequence is, that 
bo far as concerns the proceedings of Con- 
gress, no Delegate can be considered as a 
partizan. In relation to the alien and se- 
dition laws, there is no vote or act of Gen- 
eral Harrison which can be produced as 
evidence of his approbation of those laws. 
While it is highly probable that had he ever 
approved them, his enemies would long since 
have furnished the conclusive proof of such 
fact; the strongest negative testimony 
exists, of his hostility to those laws, in 
the entire confidence which Mr. Jeffer- 
son and the democratic republican party 
always manifested in his principles and a- 
bilities. 

The brilliant results of his legislative 
career soon operated so powerfully on the 
public mind at the west, that a party was 
formed in the Territory which desired the 
removal of Gen. St. Clair, as Governor, 
and the appointment of Harrison. As 
soon, however,as this project was disclosed, 
he discountenanced it, and refused the pro- 



posed honor, on the ground that the revo- 
lutionary sei vices and individual merits of 
Gen. St. Clair, gave him a claim upon the 
country, when entitled him to the station 
he occuped. 

Soon after this, however, the North- 
Western Territory was divided. The pres- 
ent State of Ohio was erected into a Ter- 
ritory by itself, and the whole country 
west and north-west, comprising the pres- 
cut States of Indiana, Illinois and Michi- 
gan, and the Territory of Wisconsin, were 
organized into a new Territory, called the 
Territory of Indiana. Of this great Ter- 
ritory, Harrison, then only 25 years of age, 
was appointed Governor. After the pur- 
chase of the Louisiana Territory, the up- 
per part of it was annexed to Indiana Ter- 
ritory. 

As Governor of this vast country, Gen- 
eral Harrison was cx-officio Superintendent 
of Indian Affairs. He was appointed, like- 
wise, by Mr. Jefferson, in 1801, sole com- 
missioner for treating with the Indians.— 
During his administration of the civil gov- 
ernment of the Territory, he negotiated 
fifteen Treaties with the different Indian 
Nations, and obtained for the United States 
more than 70,000,000 of acres of lands. — 
His justice, forbearance, and address, gave 
him great influence with the native tribes, 
— while his firmness, vigilance and vigor, 
kept them in check when often predisposed 
to "violence and outrage. His powers as 
the superior Civil Executive Magistrate of 
the Territory and Commander-in-Chief of 
its military force, were more unbounded 
than any before or since entrusted to any 
single individual in the United States. He 
discharged, likewise, for several years, the 
duties of a Legislature for the Territory. 
He was clothed with power to select from 
the civil and criminal laws of the other 
States, such as he deemed suitable for the 
Territory. He appointed all the magis, 
trates and civil officers, and all military of- 
ficers below the rank of General. He was 
entrusted with the power of confirming 
grants of lands to claimants having equita- 
ble claims under French or other grants, 
or purchases. It is a little extraordinary, 
that exercising these unlimited discretion- 
ary powers, affecting public and private 
interests of vast magnitude, during all 
his administration, no charge of malfea- 



(3 



sance, no Executive blunder, no error of 
judgment, no abuse of authority, was ever 
substantiated against him. Power neither 
corrupted his heart nor disturbed the sound 
exercise of his reason and common se 
His vast patronage was uniformly ex rci. 
sed for the public good. No venal favor- 
ites were permitted under him to plunder^ 
the public treasure. No official misconJ 
duct was screen. •(! by him from public cenj 
sure. No servile instruments were em. 
ployed by hi in. for his own aggrandizement, 
lie never was accused of using the patron- 
age of.his office for the promotion of a 
personal schemes of profit or honor. Aloof 
from the storms of party contests and the 
intrigues of petty politicians, lie pursued 
the honest- tenor of his way, — his object, 
his country's welfare; his "ambition- 
fame." 

In the exercise of his official duties, op- 
portunities abounded for successful invest- 
ments in lands. He possessed the power 
of dividing the Territory into counties 
and towns, and of designating the seats of 
justice for the respective counties. No one 
canfailto perceive how easily he could 
have enriched himself under such a state of 
things, by selections of lands near the scites 
of villages, which he could not but perceh 
would soon spring up„ Butthe Roman vir- 
tue of Harrison was proof against all such 
temptations. He invariaWj abstained from 
all traffic in the the public domain. No sus- 
picion ever assailed him, oi having profited 
by his official means of information ■, in any 
landed investment. 1 low few, in these de- 
generate days, who enjoy but a tithe of Har- 
rison's opportunities for accumulating prop- 
erty, tail to avail themselves to the Utter- 
t of all such official chances I 
In the year L805, after repeated recom- 
mendations by General Harrison, Congress 
authorized the people of the Territory of 
Indiana to choose Representatives to a Ter- 
ritorial Legislature. In urging this meas- 
ure I [arrisonknewit would curtail his pow- 
er and influence. But In- was governed 
by a desire to promote the public goo. I, and 
not by any ambitious wishi s to retain and 
engross tlje exereise of powers which the 
people ought to exercise ami enjoj . 

No better testimony oi the uprightni 
and purity of Harrison',: official character 
is needed by his friends, than his rep< 



reappointment to the office of Governor of 
Indiana, by the democratic administrations 
oFThbmas Jeffersoit, and Janus Madison. 
■' !i : first appointmenl was made by John 
Adams, his second and third by Mr Jeffer- 
son, and his fourth by Mr. Madison. J n 
the year 1809 the Legislature of the Ter- 
ritory of Indiana, adopted, spontaneously 
and unanimously, the following resolution: 
"They (tap House of Representatives) cannot 
forbear recommending to, and requesting of, the 
President and Senate, most earnestly in their own 
names, and in the names of their constituents, the 
re-appointment of their present Governor, William 
Henry Harrison :— because he possesses the good 
wishes and affections of a great majority of his 
fellow-citizens; because they believe him to be 
sinCefely attached to the Union, the prosperity of 
the United States, and the administration of its 
government; because they believe him in asuperi 
or degree capable of promoting the interests of our 
territory, from long experience and laborious at- 
tention to its concerns; from his influence ovcrthe 
Indians, and wise and disinterested management 
of that department.; and because they have con- 
fidence in his virtues, talents, and republicanism.'' 

The growth of the western country under 
his judicious administration, is a noble com- 
mentary on the wisdom and sagacity of his 
measures. In 1802 Ohio was' admitted as 
a state, into the Union, and Indiana was 
rapidly treading in her steps, when the 
difficulties with the Indians fur a while re. 
tarded her progress. 

CHAPTER 4. 

Tecumseh's intrigues ; Indian hostilities; 
Battle of Tippecanoe ; Dispersion if the 
Proph et '&• forces. 

It is well known that the British ( rovexn. 
ment, long after the peace of 1783, treated 
the United .States with great indignity. 
J hr authorities seemed to consider only a 
truce, and not a permanent peace, as in ex- 
istence. Great Britain retained until after 
1794, many important posts within our 
Territory. She inculcated upon the In- 
dians the probability of her again, by con- 
quest or the intestine division of the States, 
acquiring her lost colonies. The Indians 
were taught to look to England for protec- 
tion against the encroaching settlements of 
the Americans. They were supplied with 
munitions of war, clothing, and by 
annual presents kepi in the condition of 
tributaries to ©real Britain. This prac- 
tice is still pursued by the British authori- 
ties, and even now, all the tribes on our 



north-West borders are subsidiary to their 
purposes, and ready at a moment's warning 
to take the field under the British flag. 

Subsequent to the year 1807, as the pros- 
pect of a war between the United States and 
Ureal Britain appeared more prominent 
and inevitable, the hostile dispositions of 
the north-west Indian nations rapidly de- 
veloped themselves. Impatient of delay, 
they could not wait for the actual com- 
mencement of hostilities between the two 
countries, but by frequent acts of menace, 
plunder, and even murder, alarmed the fears 
of the inhabitants of the frontiers. Tecum- 
seh and his brother, the Prophet, acting un- 
der the instigation of British emissaries, la- 
bored assiduously to kindle the flames of 
an Indian war. He inculcated upon the 
tribes the impolicy of selling their lands, 
and even maintained that one tribe could 
not dispose of their lands without the con- 
sent of others. 

Tccumseh united in himself many of 
those qualities which, in civilized life, com- 
bine to form the great statesman and suc- 
cessful warrior. Bold and ardent, restless 
and aspiring, no difficulties intimidated him, 
no scruples embarrassed him. He posses- 
sed a penetrating and discriminating judg- 
ment, a commanding eloquence, a prepos- 
sessing and irresistable address. His phy- 
sical qualities were adapted to facilitate the 
success of his intellectual powers. Athlet- 
ic and active, he excelled in all the sports 
of his tribe, requiring the exertion of great 
muscular power. His valor was impetu- 
ous and daring. Danger had no terrors 
for him. War was his peculiar delight. 
Trained to all exposure in the forests of the 
north, he was capable of supporting great 
fatigue and long abstinence. He was a wa- 
ry and skilful negotiator, and acquired by 
the display of his various talents, unbound- 
ed influence over not only his own tribe, 
but likewise over the contiguous nations. 
Indeed, from the Gulf of Mexico to the 
Lakes, the Indian nations were all more or 
less the instruments of his designs. 

Tecumseh had conceived the formidable 
plan of combining all the southern, western 
and north-western Indians into a League, 
for the purpose of arresting the progress 
of the western settlements. In pursuance 
of this design, he had visited in person ev- 
ery tribe from Florida to the head waters 



of the Mississippi. lie Wanted, he said, to 
erect a dam against the mighty torrent 
which was sweeping before it every vestige 
of the red man's primeval supremacy. 

In his visits to the different Indian na- 
tions, Tecumseh inculcated upon them all 
the necessity of union against the United 
Slates. He breathed into them his own 
implacable hatred of the white man, and a- 
larmed them with predictions of their early 
extinction, unless by timely combination 
they could establish an effectual barrier to 
the extension of the western settlements. ■ 

Gen. Harrison was, at an early period, 
apprized of Tecumseh's operations, and 
familiar with his hostile movements and 
intrigues. It required the exercise of the 
greatest prudence, vigilance and discretion, 
to discharge the delicate duties which now 
devolved on him in his frequent intercourse 
with the Indians. Aware of the ultimate 
designs of Tccumseh, and of the exposed 
condition of the scattered and extensive 
settlements on the frontier, it was true pol- 
icy and cautiously observed by Harrison, 
to conciliate the Indians, and postpone a 
rupture as long as possible. The settle- 
ments were annually enlarging and mul- 
tiplying, and becoming more able to resist 
Indian aggression. The orders of gov- 
ernment likewise instructed him to main- 
tain peace as long as practicable — to do 
nothing which would tend to precipitate 
hostilities — and to remain prepared for an 
attack. He was directed to negotiate with 
the Indians whenever they were disposed, 
and in his intercourse with them to temper 
moderation with firmness. Ably and suc- 
cessfully did Harrison carry out these dif- 
ficult and delicate duties. On one occasion 
having invited Tecumseh to a conference, 
accompanied by only thirty men, Tecum- 
seh accepted the invitation, but instead of 
30, came with 400 warriors, fully armed and 
equipped. The inhabitants of Vincennes 
and the neighborhood were much alarmed 
at. the sudden appearance of this formida- 
ble band ; Harrison, however, exhibited no 
surprise at the extraordinary display of 
Tecumseh's force. The council was open- 
ed with all the usual gravity and formality 
of such negotiations. But suddenly, at a 
concerted signal, the whole armed band of 
warriors sprang to their feet, raised their 
hideous war-whoop, and brandishsd their 



Weapons with violent And ferocious menu. 
3. Here the moral courage, self-posses- 
sion and lofty bearing of Harrison shone 
conspicuous. He arose, sword in hand, 
and in an undaunted and commanding tone 
of voice, rebuked the insolence of the sava- 
ges. Although actuallyunequal in force at 
the time, he threatened them with instant 
chastisement if they manifested any further 
hostility, refused to sit longer in council 
with them, and ordered them to depart 
without delay. His presence of mind and 
tearless determination, quelled the barbar- 
ous host. Their courage quailed before 
the manly and heroic Harrison, and they 
slunk away, dispirited and crest-fallen.— 
Had Gen. Harrison faltered for a moment 
on this critical occasion, had he hesitated 
an instant in the course to be adopted, or 
evinced the slightest alarm or apprehen- 
sion, the probability is, that he and all his 
attendants would have been tomahawked 
on the spot, and their scalps adorned the 
triumphant return of Tccumsch. 

At length emboldened by the imminent 
prospect of a warbetween the United States 
and Great Britain, the Prophet, in the ab- 
sence of Tecurnseh at the south, began to 
draw his forces together, during the summer 
of 1811. When the government became 
convinced upon the information furnished 
by Gen. Harrison, that an Indian war was in- 
cvitable,he was directed to collect a force suf- 
ficient to cope with any expected opposi- 
tion, and to penetrate the country as far as 
Phrophet's Town for the purpose of over- 
awing the Indians, ncgociating or fighting 
with them according to circumstances. I lis 
orders were, however, to resort to the last 
alternative only defensively, and in case of 
absolute necessity. Thus it was at the op- 
tion of the Indians, to remain at peace or 
commence war, and to choose their own 
time and place for beginning the war. 

Gen. Harrison hit Vincennes, the Ter- 
ritorial scat of government, on the 20th of 
October, 1811, with about 800 men, com- 
posed of Kentucky and Indiana volunteers 
and militia, together with a small number 
of regulars, being part of Col. Boyd's r< La- 
ment. He directed his march up the W'a- 
bash towards Prophet's Town, where the 
hostile Indians were embodied. 1 lis troops, 
being mostly raw and undisciplined, requir- 
ed training. This he gave them while on 



their march, and without stopping for that 

purpose. The same masterly operation 
was practiced several years afterwards by 
Icon, when concentrating his raw re- 
cruits upon the French frontier to repel the* 
threatened invasion by the allied forces; 
and is mentioned by historians as a charac- 
teristic display of the military genius of that 
great Captain. Harrison's army marched 
in the order of battle, and in marching, 
went through, and practiced those evolu- 
tions, requisite for their discipline. Major 
Larabee, an officer of distinction, who ac- 
companied the expedition, thus describes 
their march : 

"At the time the army left Vincennes, they 
were formed in the order of battle against the at- 
tack of Indians, and were never out of this situa- 
tion till they returned ; each one occupying tho 
ground he would defend himself upon, whether 
marching or at rest upon it. This all-daring idea 
was instilled into the army collectively and indi- 
vidually by the General, from the time we entered 
the wilderness till a trial was had of the effect. — 
The army was trained to be prepared to receive 
the attack, and nothing but the unremitted at- 
tention of Gen. Harrison to enforce the necessary 
discipline could have brought the troops to such a 
state of perfection and order as the result of the 
battle proved. The fact of the army rising from 
rest and being ready to receive the Indians in two 
minutes (of which there oujrht not to be a doubt) 
after the report of the first fire, is sufficient to sat- 
isfy all persons capablo of judging, as well as all 
unprejudiced minds, that it was not a surprise. — 
Tho officers and soldiers slept with their clothes 
and accoutrements on, with drawn swords, mus- 
kets loaded and bayonets fixed, laying by the sides 
of those who were to use them in the night attack. 

The army arrived near Prophet's Town 
on the 0th of November. The Indians 
assembled there, amounted to 1000 war- 
riors. Gen. Harrison, previous to his ar- 
rival, despatched in advance, two experi- 
enced officers, Majors Tayloi and Clark, 
to select the ground for encampment. After 
reconnoitreingall the ground on both sides 
of (he river they selected a spot of high 
ground on the Tippecanoe creek, well sup- 
plied with wood and water, and surrounded 
principally by a wet prairie. Subsequent 
observation has satisfied all competent 
judges that it was the only suitable place 
in the vicinity of the camp. In obedience 
to his orders, Gen. Harrison made several 
overtures to the Indians for a pacific ar- 
rangement. They were rejected with in- 
sult. After rejecting repeatedly, all the 
General's propositions to treat in council. 



9 



the Prophet suddenly, late on the 6th, sent 
fehree~of his principal chiefs to the camp 
with propositions for a council on the fol- 
lowing day. Gen. Harrison's knowledge 
of Indian character, enabled him at once 
to penetrate the crafty design of the Proph- 
et. He knew his emissaries came merely 
as spies, and he dismissed them without 
affording them any opportunity of observ- 
ing his preparations or force. He said, as 
soon as they had departed, that he would be 
attacked before morning. He never re- 
laxed his uniform vigilance. His troops, 
as usual, reposed on their arms with their 
clothes on, each soldier on the spot, where 
he was to form in order of battle in case of 
an attack. The dragoons' horses were 
surrounded by sentinels. The General 
himself, divested his person of no article of 
dress, except his boots. He was always 
ready to mount his horse at a moment's 
warning. The whole camp was surroun- 
ded by sentinels, not so far distant as to 
permit their retreat to be cut off if attacked, 
and far enough to enable the army at the 
first signal, to be prepared to meet the foe 
if they entered the camp. Thus on the 
night of the 6th of November, the army of 
Gen. Harrison reposed on the field of Tip- 
pecanoe. A better state of preparation, 
no human sagacity could have arranged. 
The morning of the 7th of November 
was dark and lowering, and rain fell at in- 
tervals. General Harrison had risen about 
two hours before dawn, and was waiting 
with his aids the appointed signal for a turn 
out of the troop?. The discharge of a sen- 
tinel's musket apprised him that the antici- 
pated attack was being made. The Indians 
commenced firing on the guard about 300 
paces from the camp, and then, as the guard 
retreated, they rushed upon the camp with 
loud war-whoops. General Harrison was 
mounted in two minutes from the time of 
the alarm, and galloped to the scene of ac- 
tion then in the onset, being on the left 
flank upon which the Indians were char- 
ging with desperation. The savages were 
received by the troops of Captains Barton 
and Guiger, with firmness. The General 
perceived that they were hard pressed, and 
ordered up from the centre two companies 
to their support. The engagement was 
now general. The army had risen howev- 
er, in the appointed order of battle, and 



four minutes after the attack was made, ev- 
ery man was at his post and prepared to 
maintain it. General Harrison was every 
where in the thickest of the battle. — 
" Wherever," says the brave General 
Scott of Kentucky, " the action was warm- 
est ,was General Harrison to be found and 
heard encouraging and cheering the offi- 
cers and soldiers." His voice, says ano- 
ther witness, was heard clear, cool,and col- 
lected above the din of arms, issuing orders 
and exciting his troops to stand firm. Af- 
ter reinforcing his left, General Harrison 
immediately crossed the camp to reinforce 
his right front which was now severely en- 
gaged. While leading up a company for 
this purpose, the gallant Col. Owen, of Ken- 
tucky, his aid, fell at his side. Col. Daviess, 
the popular orator of the same state, a man 
universally admired and beloved, fell early, 
while charging upon a concealed body of 
the enemy who were pouring into the ranks 
a deadly fire. He solicited of the General 
permission to make the charge, and while 
gallantly pushing forward fell, perforated 
with balls. General Harrison immediate- 
ly ordered Captain Snelling, of the regulars, 
to effect the design of the lamented Daviess, 
which he successfully accomplished, dis- 
Ioflging the Indians and driving; them before 
him. The battle raged for an hour and a 
half, and until dawn, with unprecedented 
slaughter. The Indians fought with des- 
perate courage, frequently charging with 
the utmost impetuosity up to the point of 
the bayonet — and though driven back, re- 
turning again and again to the attack with 
a fierceness and resolution seldom if ever 
equalled. At length, as day dawned so as 
to enable the General to see his enemy, he 
ordered the whole front to advance simul- 
taneously, and charge the foe. This was 
done with promptness and success. The 
Indians were every driven and routed. — 
They fled at last precipitately, leaving ma- 
ny of their dead on the field. * Thus Mas 
fought and won, the famous battle of TIP- 
PECANOE. 

A harder fought action between the white 
and red men never took place since the col- 
onization of America. This victory, 
which for a while gave peace and security 
to the frontier, spread the fame of Harri 
at this time, over the whole republic. — 
Resolutions applauding his conduct and 



10 



gallantry, filled the papers of the day. 
President Madison, in his Special Message 
of* December 18, 1811, said — 

" While it is deeply lamented that so many val- 
uable lives have been lost in the action which took 
place on the 7th ult., Congress will see, with sat- 
isfaction, the dauntless spirit and fortitudo victo- 
riously displayed by every description of the troops 
engaged, as well as the collected firmness which 
distinguished their commander, on an occasion re- 

Juiring the utmost exertion of valor and discipline, 
tmay reasonably be expected that the good effects 
of a critical defeat and dispersion of a combination 
of savages which appears to have been spreading 
to a greater extent will be experienced, not only 
in the cessation of the murders and depredations 
committed on our frontier, but in the prevention 
of any hostile incursions otherwise to have been 
apprehended." 

Tho Legislature of Kentucky, adopted the fol- 
lowing resolution, 00 days alter the battle. 

"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives of the State of Kentucky, That in the 
late campaign against the Indians upon'the Wab- 
ash, Governor William Henry Harrison has beha- 
ved like a hero, a patriot, and a general ; and that, 
for his cool, deliberate, skilful, and gallant conduct 
in tho battle of Tippecanoe, he well deserves the 
warmest thanks of liis country and his nation." 

In the Legislature of Indiana, on the 12th 
of November, 1811, the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, Gen. William 
Johnson, thus addressed General Harri- 
son : 

•'Sir: The House of Representatives of the In- 
diana Territory in their own name, and in behalf 
of their coustituents, most cordially reciprocate 
the congratulations of your Exccllencyon the glo- 
rious result of the late sanguinary conflict with 
the Shawnee Prophet, and the tribes of Indians 
confederated with him. When we see displayed 
in behalf of our country, not only the consummate 
abilities of the General, but the heroism of the man; 
and when we take into view the benefits which 
must result to that country from those exertions, 
we cannot for a moment withhold our meed of ap- 
plause." 

CHAPTER 5. 

Declaration nfu-ar with Great Britain ; Gen. 
Harrison appointed to the command of the 
North- Western army ; defeat of Win- 
chester ; termination of the first campaign. 
War with Great Britain was declared on 
the 18th June, 1812 : a little more than six 
months after the battle of Tippecanoe. All 
eyes, in the West, were now directed to 
Gen. Harrison, as the only individual com- 
petent to the defence of the country in that 
quarter. His long residence in the West 
— his various high stations in the public 
service — his perfect knowledge of the west- 



ern country and its inhabitants, "whether 
white or red — the confidence felt in his 
abilities and integrity by the people — his 
eminent military qualifications — his capa- 
city for encountering and overcoming dif- 
ficulties — his discretion, wisdom, and valor 
— all marked him for the public choice, in 
this dangerous and imminent crisis. The 
talented and lamented Daviess, in 1811, 
in writing to the President, emphatically 
said, " he had thought that there were two 
military men in the West,and that Harrison 
was the first of the two." Indeed, an invin- 
cible repugnance soon manifested itself at 
the West, among the militia of Ohio, In- 
diana, and Kentucky, to serve under any 
other General in chief, than Harrison. 
Before, however, this sentiment had made 
itself felt at Washington, Gen. Winchester 
was assigned to the command of the troops 
destined to relieve Detroit. As soon as 
this appointment became known, the indig- 
nant murmurs of the western people were 
heard in every direction. Kentucky, as if 
to declare in the plainest manner whose 
banner she chose to follow, conferred upon 
Gen. Harrison the brevet commission of 
Major General. This step was taken un- 
der the advisement of a council composed 
of the most eminent citizens of Kentucky. 
At this council were present Ex-Governors 
Shelby and Greenup, Col. R. M. Johnson, 
Henry Clay, and the judges of the United 
States Courts. No stronger evidence of 
the affection and enthusiasm inspired by 
Gen. Harrison in the bosoms of Kcntucki- 
ans, could be offered than this. 

On the 30th of August, 1812, Gen. Har- 
rison joined his troops, about forty miles 
north of Cincinnati. Three days alter- 
wards he received a commission in the 
United States army, of Brigadier General. 
This he held under consideration, being 
extremely doubtful whether he ought to ac- 
cept it. 

Gen. Winchester, though a brave man, 
and an officer of the revolution, had little 
experience in the Indian mode of warfare. 
He had been long out of active service ; 
he was unacquainted with the country, or 
the people he was to command. Gen. 
Harrison well doubted, therefore, whether 
he ought to place himself in a position in 
which he might be held responsible for the 
errors of others over whom he had no con- 



11 



trol. He believed that as Governor of In- 
diana, his services might be more useful to 
the country than if acting as a subaltern un- 
der a General in whom he could not feel 
confidence. He felt and knew that his 
fellow citizens of the West were willing to 
follow with alacrity no other commander. 
He had perfect confidence in the patriotic 
intentions of Mr. Madison, and felt satisfied 
-that however slighted he might be by the 
intrigues of his enemies, the Government 
could not have acted with that forethought 
and circumspection which, it would soon 
perceive, ought to have been exercised. 
Without, therefore, manifesting any impa- 
tience or disgust, he continued the dis- 
charge of his military duties with assiduity 
and vigor. On the 3d of September, hear- 
ing that Fort Wayne was invested, he de- 
termined not to wait for the arrival of Win- 
chester, to whom he designed relinquishing 
the command, but proceeded to the relief of 
that place. The Indians having fled on 
his approach, he pushed forward his troops 
to the Wabash, for the purpose of destroy- 
ing the hostile Indian settlements, which he 
effected successfully. On his return to 
Fort Woyrte, Gen. Winchester was there, 
and Gen. H. surrendered to him, in pursu- 
ance of the orders from Washington, all 
the troops, excepting a few regiments, 
which were to be subject to his orders as 
Governor of Indiana. The magnanimity 
of Harrison breathes forth in every word 
of his general order, turning over these 
troops to the command of Winchester. 
**If any thing," he says, " could soften the 
regret which the General feels at parting 
with troops who have so entirely won his 
confidence and affection, it is the circum- 
stance of his committing them to the charge 
of one of the heroes of our glorious revolu- 
tion : a man distinguished as well for the 
service he has rendered the country, as for 
the possession of every qualification which 
constitutes the gentleman." When it be- 
came known that Gen. Harrison had 
yielded up the troops to Gen. Winchester, 
much dissatisfaction prevailed among all 
ranks of the men. At last it amounted to 
open mutiny. 

The regiment of Col. Allen, of Kentucky, ex- 
pressed their determination to return home. The 
severity of their duties, their exposure to hard- 
ships, and want of camp equipage and protection 
against the weather, together with their disap- 



pointment In being placed under the command of 
a General of whom they knc?w little, and who did 
not possess their confidence, dispirited and dis- 
gusted them with the service. At the request of 
Gen. Winchester, Gov. Harrison addressed these 
men on parade, and combatted their mutinous dis- 
positions. He appealed, in a manly and frank 
manner, to their patriotism and courage ; remind- 
ed them of their duty to their country, and por- 
trayed the disgrace of an inglorious return to their 
homes, while their comrades were fighting the 
battles of the Republic. His address was com- 
pletely successful. The men returned to their 
duty with alacrity, and none proved themselves 
better or braver soldiers. 

But a few days, however, elapsed after Gen. 
Harrison relinquished the command at Fort 
Wayne to Gen. Winchester, when he received, at 
Piqua, a commission from the War Department, 
appointing him Commander-in-Chief of the North- 
western army, investing him with power almost 
unlimited and discretionary in his mode of prose- 
cuting tha war. The order of the Secretary of 
War directed him as follows : " Having provided 
for the protection of the western frontier, you will 
retake Detroit, and with a view to the conquest 
of Upper Canada, you will penetrate the country 
as far as the force under your command will jus- 
tify." 

In a letter to Gov. Shelby, of the same date at 
that of the above order, the Secretary says :-- 
«« After consulting the lawful authority vested in 
the President, it has been determined to vest the 
command of all the forces on the Western and 
Northwestern frontier in an officer whose military 
character and knowledge of the country appeared 
to be combined with the public confidence. Gen. 
Harrison has accordingly been appointed to the 
chief command, with authority to employ officers 
and to draw from the public stores, and every oth- 
or practicable source, all the means of effectuating 
the objectofhis command." Thus, justice, though 
tardy, was eventually extended to Gen. Harrison, 
and the demands of the army and people of the 
West fully gratified. The powers conferred by 
Mr. Madison on Gen. Harrison wore more am- 
ple and unrestricted than had ever been conferred 
on any General before, excepting Washington. 
They indeed amounted to a carte blanche to ex- 
ercise just what means the emergency might ren- 
der expedient. Gen. Winchester, in surrender- 
ing the command to Gen. Harrison, said :— " I 
have the honor of announcing to this army the 
arrival of Gen. Harrison, who is duly authorized 
by the Executive of the Federal Government to 
take the command of the Northwestern Army. 
This officer, enjoying the implicit confidence of 
the States from whose citizens the army is and 
will be collected, and possessing, himself, great 
military skill and reputation, the General is con- 
fident in the belief that his presence in this army, 
in the character of its chief, will be hailed with u- 
niversal approbation." 

Three days after receiving his appointment to 
the chief command, Gen. Harrison announced to 
the Secretary of War his plan of the campaign. 
He proposed approaching the rapids of the Man. 



1*» 

1 -v 



mee in three divisions, — the left by way of Fort 
Wayne — the centre down the Auglaize by Fort 
Defiance, and the ri^rlit by Upper Sandusky and 
through the present county oi Hancock, in Ohio. 
II nvevor anxious the Commander-in-Chief felt 
to recover the Territory of Michigan, so disgrace- 
fully surrendered by Hull, he soon perceived that 
it was impracticable, owing to his deficiency of 
supplies and artillery, to accomplish that impor- 
tant object in his first campaign. The order in 
Which his duties were enumerated placed tin 
tectionof the frontier among the first A prema- 
ture advance and repulse, might lay open the 
whole western settlements to the ruthless attacks 
of the savage. 1 f is duty, and true policy, there. 
fore, both required, thai nothing should be placed 
unnecessarily at hazard. Profiting by the experi- 
ence and tactics of Gen. Wayne, who was three 
campaigns in bringing hisTndian war to a close, 
Gen. Harrison determined not to attempt the re- 
capture of Detroit, or the invasion of Canada, un- 
der such circumstances of preparation as might 
be inconsistent with the importance of the object. 
He labored, there lore, with indefatigable exertions 
to hasten forward supplies of men and munitions of 
war. lie repeatedly urged. likew is;', upon the Gov- 
ernment, as he had done in 1809, the importance 
of constructing a fleet of vessels to obtain the com- 
mand on Lake Erie. 

In order to be prepared to prosecute with vigor 
offensive operations, he proposed, as before stated, 
to concentrate on the Rapids of Maumee, mo- 
ving in three columns with a military base extend- 
ing from the .Sandusky to Fort Wayne. Gen. 
Winchester was directed, early in December, af- 
ter accumulating a sufficient supply of provisions, 
to proceed to the Rapids and there await the arri- 
val of the remaining part of the army. He was 
likewise ordered to construct huts for winter 
quarters, and sleds for the transportation of the 
troops to Maiden, if a dash upon that post should 
be considered, in the sequel, practicable and ex- 
pedient. 

<.Vn. Winchester unfortunately did not keep 
the Commander-in-Chief sufficiently apprized of 
his movements. Whether this arose from cool- 
ness, or was the result of negligence, docs not ap- 
pear. While on his march to the Rapids he re- 
d a dispatch from (Jen. Harrison, advising 
In in to abandon the movement. This counter- 
mand was dictated by information received by 
Gen. Harrison of the movements of the Indians, 
communicated byCok Campbell, who ha.. 
returned from an expedition against I he Mississin. 
niway Indians. Gen. Winchester disregarded 
this recommendation andreached the Rapid- mi 
t r i . ■ loth of January. Contrary to the expri 
don of Gem Harris >n, he proceeded on to the riv- 
er Raisin. .Vs soon as Gon. Harrison heard of 
Winchester's arrival at the Rapids he made exJ 
traordinary efforts to forward him those reinforce 
ments he knew he would but too surely require. 
Ho followed, himself, with great expedition, but 
arrived only to learn that on the 22nd, Win 
ter had suffered himself to be surprised in an mi. 
fortified camp, and that tie part ol Ins ar- 

my were killed or taken prisoners. This d 



filled the whole West with mourning. Some of Ilia 
choicest soldiers, and most distinguished men in 
tin- Western States, I'll in this terrible battle. — 
The merciless Proctor, surrendered his prisoners 
to the relentless Indians, who tomahawked them 
in Cold blood. 

Soon afterthe defeat of Winchester, Gen. Har- 
rison established his head quarters at (lamp Meigs. 
He had previously by various detached expeditions 
against the Indians in tlu Northwest completely 
broken their settlements up, and paralized all oh 
fensiye operations on their part. He. thus gave 
complete protection to the frontier and covered 
the inhabitants from attack. Gen. Harrison com- 
menced fortifying Camp Meigs, on the termina- 
tion of the campaign, and collecting there supplies 
and munitions of war preparatory to the renewal 
of active operations in the spring. 

CHAPTER G. 

Siege of Fort Mrigs; retreat of Proctor and In. 
dians; defenceof Fort Stephenson. 

Early in April, 181.'$, intelligence was received 

of preparations, on the part of Proctor and the 
Indians, for an attack on Fort .Meigs. On the 
23th of April, the British and Indians were disco- 
vered approaching the fort. The combined for- 
ces of British, Canadians, and Indians, exceeded 
5,000. Gen Harrison dispatched Capt. Oliver to 
Gen, Clay, of Kentucky, directing him to hasten 
forward his troops. Every preparation for the 
defence which it was in his power to make, was 
judiciously directed by Gen. Harrison. The Brit- 
ish erected formidable batteries on the opposite 
side of the river ; but as they were on the point of 
manning them, and opening a fire on the fort and 
cam]), the tents of the American army were struck 
and removed in the rear, and a grand traverse, 
twelve feet high, of embankment , stretching along 
three hundred yards, disclosed a complete shield 
of earth, resting on a base of twenty feet, and 
completely protecting the" whole garrison. The 
British batteries, hewever, opened a heavy can- 
nonade, which was continued without interruption 
fur five days. In the mean time the fort was sur- 
rounded by Indians under Teeumseh. All ac- 
counts of this memorable siege unite in praise of 
the energy, coolness and intrepidity displayed by 
Gen. Harrison throughout the attack. The first 
cannon shot discharged by the enemy penetrated 
the General's tent. Capt. McCullough, of the 
Ohio troops, was killed at his side while conven- 
ing wilh him, and he was himself struck on the 
hip by a spent ball. During the night of the 4th 
of May, Capt. Oliver returned, with the intelli- 
gence that (Jen. Clay, with a reinforcement, was 
upon the Rapids, and but a few miles abovo 
the invested fort. The military genius of Harri- 
son inn. n d ati lv - I the brilliant exploit of 
a sortie from the fort, on the southeast side of the. 
river, supported by Gen. Clay, while a part of his 
troops sh.iiild storm the British batteries on the 
other side. ( Sen. < 'lay was directed to detach 800 
m >n on lie' northwest shore of tin' .Maumee, who 
were to charge the British entrenchments, spike 
tie ir guns, destroy their stores and ammunition, 
and immediately return to the southeast side of 
river. The troops of Goo. Clay on this 



13 



formed a junction with the garrison, and united 
With Gen. Harrison in a genera] assault on l ! 
emy's lines. This was attended with signal suc- 
cess. Col. Dudley, with the detachment i 
men on the northwest side of the river, gallantly 
executed the duty assigned them. With loud 
shouts they rushed upon the batteries, spiked the 
guns, and killed or routed the British regulars in 
charge of them. But, elated with theirsuccess, 
they neglected the peremptory order to return as 
soon as the batteries were taken. They were led 
on in the eagerness of pursuit and victory, sur- 
rounded and almost the entire detachment killed 
or captured. On the southeast side, complete 
success attended the sortie. Col. Miller, with 
less than 500 men, attacked and carried a post de- 
fended by about 700 British regulars and 1000 
Indians ; dispersed the Indians and British, taking 
fifty of the latter prisoners. Notwithstanding the 
unfortunate result of Col. Dudley's expedition, 
the British and their allies were discomfited at 
every point. Proctor, indeed, had the insolence 
on the following day, to send to Gen. Harrison 
' a summons to surrender. Gen. Harrison's reply 
to him, through his messenger, was, " Tell your 
General this post will never be surrendered to him. 
Should he take it, it would be in a manner calcu- 
lated to do him more honor than a thousand sur- 
renders." On the 8th of May, Proctor and all his 
forces made a precipitate retreat. Tecumseh, 
who had with and near him, in arms, about. 5000 
Indians, was extremely indignant at the ignomin- 
ious flight of Proctor. At a council in which the 
British General declared his intention to retreat, 
Tecumseh compared him to a great bear, which, 
when alarmed by dogs, scampers off with his tail 
between his legs. 

President Madison in his message to Congress 
at the following session of Congress, thus speaks 
of the gallant defence of Fort --"The is- 

sue of the late seige at Fort -Meigs, leaves us noth- 
ing to regret, but a single act of inconsiderate val- 
or." 

Towards the last of July the British and In- 
dians in great force again made a feint upon Fort 
Meigs. Gen. Harrison then supposed the attack 
to be only a feint, and that they really designed a 
blow at Cleveland or some other point. He dis- 
patched relief to Fort Meigs, but established his 
headquarters at Seneca, about miles above Low- 
er Sandusky. From this point, on the arrival of 
expected reinforcements, he could readily march 
to the aid of Upper Sandusky, Fort Meigs or Cleve- 
land. The result proved the sagacity of his an- 
ticipation. Proctor remained- but a few days be- 
fore Fort Meigs, when he embarked his regulars 
and Canadians and sailed for the Sandusky river, 
while the Indians marched across the Black 
Swainp to meet him before Fort Stephenson, at 
Lower Sandusky. 

This post was commanded by Major Croghan 
with 160 regulars. It was not 'deemed a tenable 
position against artillery, as it was commanded by 
the high ground in the vicinity. As early as the 
2lst of April, 1813, and before the siege of Fort 
Meigs, Gen. Harrison, in one of his despatches to 
the Secretary of War, observed, with respect to 



Fori Stephenson; » I will cause the movements of 
the enemy to he narrowly watched. Bui in the 
event oj their landing at Lower Sandus%y. that 
post Cannot be saved. 1 will divert it, in such an 
event, to be evacuated." A few days before the 
British appeared in the Sandusky river, Gen. Har- 
rison, in company with Major Croghan and a 
council of officers, critically reconnoitcred Fort 
Stephenson. It was the unanimous opinion of all, 
that if the British approached it fvom the river, 
from whichfact theirhaving heavy artillery would 
be justly inferred, that then the post ought to be 
abandoned and burnt. The officers composing 
this council were Generals McArthur and Gas.s 
Colonels Ball and Paul, Majors Wood, Hukill, 
Holmes and Graham. The orders left with Mai' 
Croghan were, " .Should the British troops ap- 
proach you in force, with cannon, and you can 
discover them in time to effect -a retreat, you will 
do so." You must be aware that an attempt to 
retreat in the face of an Indian force would be 
vain. Against such an enemy your garrison 
would be safe, however great the number." 

On the 29th of July, Gen. Harrison received in. 
formation which rendered it probable that an at- 
tack by Tecumseh with 2000- warriors was a- 
bout being made on Upper Sandusky. He had 
but 800 men, 150 of whom were sick, and one-fifth 
of the remainder cavalry and therefore unsuitable 
for service on the thick and wooded banks of the 
Sandusky. Ten thousand barrels of flour and o- 
ther valuable public stores and supplies were at 
Upper Sandusky. Under these circumstances, 
anticipating a simultaneous attack on Upper San- 
dusky and Fort Stephenson, a general council of 
officers united in advising the abandonment of 
Fo^t Stephenson. Orders, accordingly, were de. 
spatched to Maj. Croghan. These did not reach 
him until eleven o'clock on the 30th, when, ap- 
prehending from the appearance of the Indians 
in the neighborhood that a retreat was not advi- 
sable, he returned the following reply, usino- the 
strong language contained in it, to deceive the en- 
emy, provided it fell into his hands, and not, as ho 
afterwards explained, from any disrespect to the 
Commander-in-Chief. The reply was, " Sir— 1 
just received yours of yesterday 10 o'clock P. M., 
ordering me to destroy this place and make good 
my retreat, which was received to late to be car- 
ried into execution. We have determined to 
maintain this place, and by heaven we can." — 
This answer reached Gen. Harrison the same day, 
who not knowing the peculiar reasons which go- 
verned Maj. Croghan's mind, and supposing it to 
be a case of wilful disobedience of orders, imme- 
diately directed his arrest. On the arrival of the 
Major the whole affair was satisfactorily explain- 
ed by him, and Gen. Harrison replaced Maj. 
Croghan in command at Fort Stephenson, under- 
his former instructions. 

When, on the 1st of August, Gen. Harrison 
heard the attack on Fort Stephenson, and from 
its severity and continuance was satisfied that a 
large British and Indian force was before it, lie 
was bound, by every military principle, to remain 
at Seneca, and not risk his entire army, unequal 
to the enemy, in the open field. The defeat or 



11 



destruction of his troops would have: exposed tha 
Frontier, and opened the road for the enemy into 
tha heart, of Ohio. He, accordingly, by the ad- 
vice of his whole staff, deemed il proper to await 
reinforcements at Seneca, (then hourly ejepcctcd,) 
hoping that they mighl arrive before the reductioq 
of Fort Stephenson. Major Oroghan gallantly 
defended his post. After repeated a: is&ults the 
enemy were repulsed with lighter. In 

his official report of this affair, Gen. Harrison 
said, "It will not be among the least of Gen. 
Proctor's mortifications, to find that he has hcen 
baffled by a youth who has just passed his twen- 
ty-first year. He is,. however, a hero, worthy of 
bin gallant uncle, George R. Clark." 

The personal and political enemies of Gch. Har- 
rison have endeavored to tarnish his n put a lion 
by unjust censure of his conduct in relation to 
the attack on Fort Stephenson. The best answer 
to such ignorant or malicious aspersions, is that 
given at the time, spontaneously, by Major Crog- 
han himself, and all the field and stall' officers 
then in the camp of the Commander-in-Chief. 

On the 27th of August, 1813, Major Croghah 
published, in tin' Cincinnati papers,* clear, frank 
and patriotic communication, from which wc 
make the following extracts : 

" Lower Sandusky, Aug. 27, 1813. 

" 1 have with much regret seen in some of the 
public prints such representations respecting my 
refusal to evacuate this post, as arc calculated not 
only to injure me in the estimation of military 
men, but also to excite unfavorable impressions 
as to the propriety of Gen. Harrison's conduct 
relative to this affair. 

" His character as a military man is too well 
Established to need my approbation or support. 
Hut his public services entitle him at least to com- 
mon justice ; this affair does not furnish cause of 
reproach. The measures recently adopted by 
him, so far from deserving censure, an' the clear- 
est proofs of his keen penetration and able gene- 
ralship. 

" It is useless to disguise the fact that this fort 
is commanded by the points of high ground around 
it ; a single stroke of the eye made this clear to 
me the first time I had occasion to examine the 
neighborhood with a view of discovering the rela- 
tive strength and weakness of this place. 

"About 10 o'clock on the morningofthe 30th 
xilt., a letter from the Adjutant General's office, 
dated Seneca Town, July 29, 1813, was handed 
me by Mr. Connor, ordering me to abandon this 
post, burn it, and retreat that night to head-quar- 
ters. On the reception of the order I called a 
council of officer;-, in which it was determined 
not to abandon the place, at least until the further 
pleasure of the General should be known, as it 
*vas thought an attempt to ret real in the open day, 
in the face of a superior force of the enemy, would 
be more hazardous than to remain in the fort, 
under all its disadvantages. I therefore wrote a 
letter to the General, couched in such terms as I 

thought were calculated to deceive tin !tny 

should it fall into his hands, which I thought 
more than probable, as well as to inform the Gen- 
eral, should it be so fortunate as to reach him, thai 



I should wait to hear from him before I should pTrt- 
cecd to execute his order. This letter, contrary 
to my expectations, was received by the General, 
who, not knowing what reasons urged mo to 
write in ;i tone bo decisive, concluded very ration- 
ally that the manner of if was demonstrative of 
the most p termination to disobey his or- 

der under any circumstances. I was therefore 
suspended from the command of the fort, and or- 
dered to head-quarters. But, on explaining to the 
General my reason for not executing his orders, 
and my object in using the style I had done, he 
was ho perfectly satisfied with the explanation that 
I was immediately reinstated in the command. 

" I desire no plaudits which arc bestowed upon 
me at the expense of Gen. Harrison. I have felt 
the warmest attachment for him as a man, and 
my confidence in him as an able commander re- 
mains unshaken. As long as he continues (as in 
my humble opinion he has hitherto done) to make 
the wisest arrangeinenls and most judicious dis- 
position which the forces under his command will 
justify. 1 shall not hesitate to unite with the army 
in bestowing upon him that confidence which he 
so richly merits, and which has upon no occasion 
been withheld. Your friend, 

" George Crogiun, 
" Major 17th Infantry, 
" Commanding Lower Sandusky." 
[Dawson's Life of (Jen. Harrison.] 
The officers in his camp likewise drew up, of 
their own accord and published a statement, Irom 
which wc make the following extracts: 

Lower Seneca Town, Aug. 19, 1813. 
" The undersigned, being the general, field, 
and staff officers with that portion of the north- 
western army under the immediate command of 
Gen. Harrison, have observed with regret and sur- 
prise that charges, as improper in the form as in 
the substance, have been made against the con- 
duct of Gen. Harrison during the recent invest- 
ment of Lower Sandusky. * * We 
refer the public to the General's official report to 
the Secretary of War, of Major Croghan's success- 
ful defence of Lower Sandusky, In that will be 
found a statement of our whole disposable force : 
and he who believes that with such a force, and 
under the circumstances which then occurred, 
Gen. Harrison ought to have advanced upon the 
enemy, must be loft to correct his opinion in the 
school of experience. 

" On a review of the course then adopted, we 
arc decidedly of the opinion that it was such as 
was dictated by military wisdom, and by a due 
regard to our own circumstances and to the situa- 
tion of the enemy. With a ready acquiescence, 
beyond the mere claims of military duty, wo arc 
proparcd to obey a General whose measures meet 
our most deliberate approbation, and merit that of 
his country. 

Lewis Cass, Brig. Gen. U. S. Army. 

Samuel Wells, Col. 17th Reg. U. S. Infantry. 

Thos. D. Owings, Col. 28th Reg. U. S. Infantry. 

i. orge I'aull, Col. 17th Reg. U. S. Infantry. 

.I.e. Bartlett, Col. Quartermaster General 

James V. Rail, Lieutenant Colonel. 

Geo. Todd, Major 19th Reg. U. S. Infantry. 



Lo 



Win. Trigg, Major 28th Reg. U. S. Infantry. 
Jas. Smiley, Major 2S*.h Reg. U. .S. Infantry. 
Rd. Graham, Major 17th Reg. U. S. Infantry. 
Geo. Croghan, Maj. 17th Reg. U. 8. Infantry. 
L. Ilukill, Maj. and Assistant Inspector Gun.. 
E. D. Wood, Major Engineers. 

[Dawson's Life of Harrison, p. 409-10.] 

chapter 7. 

Perry's Victory ; Gen. Harrison invades Canada ; 
Battle of Thames; termination of the war in 
the Northwest. 

By the advice of Gen. Harrison, Commodore 
Perry had been dispatched to Erie for the pur- 
pose of constructing a fleet. This was now com- 
pleted, and that gallant sailor, on the 11th of Sep- 
tember, 1813, achieved a glorious victory over the 
British naval forces on Lake Erie, acquiring 
thereby a command of those waters. Previous 
to that event, Gen. Harrison had spared no exer- 
tion to obtain a suffie'ent force upon the lines with 
which to make a landing on the Canadian shore. 
The militia now pressed forward with unbounded 
spirit and alacrity. The long-looked-for hour was 
near, when Gen. Harrison was to retort upon the 
enemy his intrusion, and bring the war to his own 
fireside. Nine days after the victory of Perry, 
Gen. Harrison commenced the embarkation of his 
army for the invasion of Canada. 

On his way across the lake, ho issued a spirit- 
stirring proclamation, in which he says — 

li The General entreats his brave troops to re- 
member that they are the sons of sires whose fame 
is immortal ; that they are to fight for the rights 
of their insulted country, while their opponents 
combat for the unjust pretension of a master. — 
Kentuckians ! remember the river Raisin .' but 
remember it only whilst victory is suspended. — 
The revenge ef a soldier cannot be gratified on a 
fallen enemy." 

On the arrival ofthe fleet at Maiden, they found 
that the enemy, after burning and destroying ev- 
ery thing, had retreated. Detroit was abandoned 
likewise by the British on the approach of Gen. 
Harrison. In the pursuit of Proctor, two plans 
suggested themselves to the mind of Gen. Harri- 
son : a pursuit over land, or taking to the lake a- 
gain and landing at Long Point to attempt inter- 
cepting the flying British by turning their front 
line. A council of war was convened — Gen. 
Harrison presented both methods of pursuit, frank- 
ly expressing his preference for an immediate pur- 
suit by land.* This step was unanimously appro- 
ved. And orders were immediately issued by the 
Commander-in-Chief, for a prompt and vigorous 
chase of the retreating Proctor. 

The enemy retreated up the banks of the river 
Thames. On the 5th of October, Gen. Harrison 
overtook them. He found them strongly posted 
in force, near 3000 men, including Indians. Their 
left rested on the north bank of the Thames. — . 
Their right on a swamp, about 3-4 of a mile from 
the river, which run parallel to the river, the in- 
tervening ground beinjj dry and suitable for de- 
fence. 



*Gov. Shelby's letter to Gen. Harrison. 



The American army, about 2500 men, con- 
sisted principally of Ohio and Kentucky volun- 
teers, the latter commanded by the brave Shelby, 
of revolutionary memory. Gen. Harrison's dispo- 
sitions were made with promptness and consum- 
mate skill. The 1st division were drawn up in 3 
lines in front of the British infantry. The 2nd 
division were posted at right angles to the first 
and on their left, so as to keep the Indians who 
filled the swamp on the enemy's right, in check. 
Col. Johnson's mounted men were directed to turn 
the right of the Indians. After this disposition 
was made, and just as the Commander-in-Chief 
was about directing an advance of the 1st divis- 
ion, he was apprised that the British infantry were 
drawn up in open order. - His military genius at 
once detected the error and promptly tnrncd it to 
account. He ordered Col. Johnson's mounted 
men to charge the British regulars thus falsely 
posted, and after breaking their ranks to form in 
their roar and continue the engagement. Only 
one battalion of the mounted men, under Lieut. Jas. 
Johnson could be fully brought into action im- 
mediately. This battalion executed the order of 
Gen. Harrison with the most daring and irresisti- 
ble valor. They galloped down with sweeping 
impetuosity upon the British ranks, penetrated 
them at every point, throwing them into inextri- 
cable confusion, and forming in the rear, pursuant 
to order, renewed the onset. The 1st division 
were now in full charge on the disordered line of 
the enemy, when they threw down their arms 
and G00 British regulars surrendered at discretion. 
Col. R. M. Johnson was severely engaged on the 
left with the Indians. Gen. Harrison, finding 
that the battalion of mounted men under his lead 
could not be brought to act against Proctor, order- 
ed him to cross the swamp and rouse the Indians. 
This he did with the greatest gallantry. He or- 
dered his men to dismount, and fought hand to 
hand with tho savage foe. He was bravely sup- 
ported by Col. Donclson's regiment, who rushed 
into his lines and participated in the deadly strug- 
gle. Tho Indians fought with great obstinacy 
under their renowned loader, Tccumseh, and 
contested the field long after tho surrender ofthe 
regulars. But they could not stand the sharp and 
galling fire poured in upon them on all sides, and 
finally fled through the swamp, leaving Tccum- 
seh among the dead. The victory was complete. 
Proctor fled with precipitation, and only escaped 
by the fleetness of his horse. 

The bold and novel manoeuvre of Gen. Harri- 
son in directing the charge of mounted men, de- 
cided the fate of the day. The British were 
struck with utter dismay and consternation at that 
splendid demonstration of skill and valor. The 
battle was fought and won in a space of time in- 
credibly short. All the enemy's baggage and 
camp equipage, together with the official papers of 
Proctor, and military stores to the value of a mil- 
lion of dollars, fell into tho hands of the victors. 
Several pieces of brass cannon, originally taken 
from the British in tho revolutionary war, at Sar- 
atoga and Yorktown, but which had been surren- 
dered by Hull, were recaptured. 

Thus, in a period of time exceeding a twelve- 



■ I) 



month by only a fuwdaj i, From I 1 !-' dal 
Harrison's appointment to the chief command ol 
the Northwestern Army, hi iccomplisiied bvery 
obJei i DKSictNAf *d in hie • ; ' The orders 

which weha> i mentioned, were as foil 

"Having provided for the protection of the 
ern frontier, you will retake Detroit, and with a 
to the conquest "/ Upper Canada, you trill 
penetrate tin country as fat as the force awl :ryour 
Cuimx/tiiil will justify .'" 

All these important objects lie accomplished in 
the period we have stated. They were attained 
too, under diflB of appalling magnitude, and 

with slender and precarious means, when compar- 
ed with the mighty results so gloriously real 

Glen. McAJFee, an officer in tho Kite war, and 
the historian of its principal events, says, — 
"The services which Gen. Harrison was required 
to perform were in the opinion <>t' old, experienced, 
and alile offi :ers, the most extensive and arduous 
that had ever been required from any military 
commander in America. They were sufficient 
to employ all the time, talents and resources ofthc 
greatest military genius, at the head of a well ap- 
pointed army !" 

Gov. Shelby writing to the Secretary of War, 
May I."), 181 I, says;~ "Haying served a cam] 
with Gen. Harrison, by winch 1 have been ena- 
bled to form some opinion of his military talents, 
and capacity to command, I feel no hesitation to 
declare to you, that I believe him to he one of the 
first military characters lever knew. I doubt not 
but it will hereafter be found that the command 
of the Northwestern army, and the carious duties 
attached to it, has been one of the most ardu. 
oils dial difficult tasks ever assigned to am/ officer 
ofthc United States; hut he surmounted them 
all." 

The victoryof the Thames annihilated flic Brit, 
ish force in Upper Canada. Gen Harrison's was 
the only successful invasion of Canada during the 
war — the only conquest of any British province 
by the American arms. The war, indeed, in the 
Northwest might be considered terminated. 

The Republic rung with the fame of the Conquer- 
>>r. Cities, and States, and distinguished public 
men vied with each other in showering honors up- 
on the victorious ( ;, neral. 

Among many others, whose grateful fee 
foUbd utterance on the occasion, the Hon. Larrg- 
don Ghevcs of South Carolina, formerly Speaker 
of the House of Representative, observed on the 
floor of Congress, that 

"The victory of Harrison was such as would 
have secured to a Roman General, in the b< st days 
•ofthc Republic, the honors of a triumph. — He put 
an end to the war in the uppi rmost ( ianada." 

.lames Madison, President ofthc United States, 
in his message to Con Dec 7th, 1813. in 

speaking of the Northwestern army, stated that 

"The officer commanding'thc Northwestern ar- 
my, (Harrison,) transferred the war thithi 
Canada,) and rapidly pursuing the hostile troops, 
Hoeing with their B neral ac- 

tion, which quickly terminated in the d T, at of the 
British, and dispersion of tl The 

result is signally honorable to Major General 



IIILl IWIIY TALENTS IT (| is 
I'KRFOKMl 

Simui Snyder, the pa • nor of IYim- 

iiia, and the idol of I democracy in thai State, 
I his admiration of Harrison in his 
annual m islature of Pennsylva- 

nia, d itcd Dcci mb r 10th, 1813. 

"Tiie hi of thousands of women and chil- 

dren rescued from tho scalping knife of the ruth- 
1 the wild and from the still 

st oh Harrison and his gal- 
lant arm 

The foil by both 

branches i 

"Resolved, By the Senate and House ofReptc- 
sentatiyes of the United States of America, in 
Congress assembled, "That the thanks of Con- 
be, and are hereby presented to Major Gen. 
William Henry Harrison and Isaac Shelby, late 
Governor* I through them to the of- 

ficers and men r command, for their 

gallantry and iduct in defeating the com- 

bined British and Indian forces, under General 
Ph the Thames, in Upper Canada, on the 
5th day ofOctoboj, I®l3, capturing the British 
army, with their ha camp equipage, and ar- 

. ; and that it of the United 

H !>e reqn : two gold Medals to 

be struck, ciubJam'aticaToi this triumph, and pre- 
sented to Gen. Harrison and Isaac Shelby, late 
( Jovemor of Kentucky." 

The above resolution, it is true, was delayed in 
its progress, from the fact that some of Gen. Har- 
rison's enemies had falsely preferred charges a- 
gainst him, which ! his friends to desire 

that the action of Congress on the- resolutions 
should be vindical rration. Such 

investigation by a committee ofthc House of Re. 
ntatives was made, and resulted in the tri- 
umphant vindication of (Jen. Harrison; when the 
above resolution 'was unanimously adopted by 
both Houses ofCongress. 

(>n Gen. Harrison's journey to Washington, 
soon after the battle of the Thames, the gratitude 
ofthe people, for his splendid services and achieve- 
ments, manifested itself every wherein the warmth 
and enthusiasm ofhis reception. In New York 
city a brilliant entertainment was provided for 
him bv the Democratic Republican Comm 
at which Col. Rutgers presided and Daniel I). 
Tompkins at t . n which occasion ( Jen. Har- 

was toasted as I lie Deliverer of the North- 

CIIAPTER 8. 

mtionofGen. Harrison; Elected /o I he H. 
of Representatives and Senate ofthe U. States; 

A/i; I / Co nhia ; Retirement 

to private life ; His character. 

Our limits will not permit us to dwell as minute- 
ly as wo could wish to do, on the subsequent c- 
ventsin the lit I and good man. 

In the year 181-1, the Secretary of War, the 
blundering and incapable Armstrong, disgUsti ■'. 
■ tic Harrison by a scries of petty and an- 
noying Blights which no military officer of spirit 
could tamely endure. All appointments oi active 
1 him. Orders were trail 



17 



* 



tedto inferior officers in his district, from the de- 
partment, in defiance of military usage- or the 
rules of ordinary courtesy, and his feelings of hon- 
orable pride were wantonly assailed. Aftersolicit. 
Iitg in vain for more active service, Gen. Harrison 
tendered his resignation, resolving not to receive 
compensation from the country when lie could 
not serve it as he desired. In the absence of Mr. 
Madison, Gen. Armstrong accepted the proffer d 
resignation, much to the regret of the Pr 
as he subsequently declared, and Gen. Harrison 
retired to private life. 

In 1S16, Gen. Harrison was elected to Congress 
from Hamilton county, Ohio, and subsequently 
to the Senate of that State, and to the Senate of 
the United States. 

In Congress he proved himself an able and elo- 
quent speaker, and a profound and sagacious 
statesman. His speeches arc characterized by 
great eloquence and various research. Few spe- 
cimens of American eloquence excel his speeches 
in commemoration of the memory of Kosciusko, 
the Polish patriot, and in behalf of the widow of 
Gen. Brown. The revolutionary patriot always 
found in him an ardent and intrepid advocate. 
He took bold and strong ground in favor of na- 
tional works of internal improvement, and of pro- 
tecting our domestic manufactures by a tariff. 

Whilst in the Senate of Ohio, the laws punish- 
ing crimes and offences were reviewed. At that. 
time the jails and penitentiaries of Ohio were in 
a bad condition. A juvenile delinquent, senten- 
ced for larceny, or other minor grades of crime, 
was sure to be irreclaimably corrupted if immured 
in one of those receptacles. To save such offend- 
ers from hopeless depravity, it was proposed to 
apprentice such sentenced criminals to such per- 
sons who might have employment for them, until 
the value of their services should amount to the 
fine and costs imposed by the court. Gen. Har- 
rison, from motives of humanity, approved and 
voted in favor of this measure. Mr. Grundy, 
late Attorney General of the United Sfc.ites, and 
now Senator. from Tennessee, when in the Legis- 
lature of that State voted for a similar law. 

Out of these facts the political opponents of 
Gen. Harrison have invented the charge that he 
voted to sell poor men for debt ! ! 

1st. It will be perceived that he voted to sell 
no one. When a father apprentices the time of 
his son, with what propriety can he be said to 
sell him ? 

2d. It was the time of criminals only, which 
he approved of being thus disposed of. 

3d. It was for the benefit and reformation of 
the criminal, that the measure was supported. 

4th and lastly, The law provided that the em- 
ployer should give bond for the proper treatment 
of "the apprentice ; and the same remedy was 
given the latter for mal-treatment that all other 
apprentices enjoy. 

The proposed measure never became a law. 
It is of no consequence what the phraseology of 
the particular law may have been : the relation 
it proposed to create between the criminal and 



the employer was no other than that of master 
and apprentice.* 

In 1828,Gen.H.waa appointed Minister toColom- 
bia. He arrived at Maracaibo, in South America, 
on the 5th of February, 18:29. On the 8th of the 
following March, he was unceremoniously super- 

I by Gen. Jackson, who appointed Thomas 
Moore, of Kentucky, in his place. Before leav- 
ing Columbia, he addressed, as a friend, a letter 
to the celebrated Bolivar, who was at that time 
suspected of a design hostile to the liberties of his 
country. Gen. Harrison's letter was intended to 
dissuade him from the indulgence of such ambi- 
tious views. In a clear, powerful, and eloquent 
manner, he portrayed the superior virtue and 
glory of the patriot who prefers his country's 
happiness and welfare to any schemes of personal 

andizemefft. He exhorted the South Ameri- 
hief to emulate the fame of Washington, ra- 
ther than that ofCssar or Napoleon. He said to 
him, li To be esteemed eminently great, it is ne- 
cessary to he eminently good." The qualities of 
the Hero and the General must be devoted to the 
advantage of mankind, before he will be permitted 
to assume the title of their benefactor." This let- 
ter, containing the noblest and most elevated sen- 
timents, deservedly attracted much attention. 
It is believed that it exercised the happiest influ- 
ence on the mind of Bolivar. 

Gen. Harrison, since his return from Colombia, 
has resided on his farm near Cincinnati. He is de- 
voted to the pleasures, and healthful pursuits of ag- 
riculture. He is not only a scientific but a prac- 
tical farmer. He performs, himself, much of the 
work on his farm. In the harvest field he is at. 
home, and cuts his swathe with the stoutest. He 
is often seen driving his team, holding the plough, 
or threshing out his grain. Enjoying in his green 

* The following is the 9th section of title 5, 
chap. 20, part 1, of Revised Laws of New York. 
We may add here that the statutes of half the 
States of the Union contain provisions for thus 
''selling" the services of convicts or criminals. 
' " § 9. The court may discharge such disorderly 
persons from confinement either absolutely or 
upon receiving sureties for his or her good beha- 
vior, in its discretion ; or the said court may in 
its discretion, authorize the county superintend- 
ents of the poor, or the overseers of the poor of 
any county or town, or the commissioners of any 
alms house to bind out such disorderly persons 
as shall be minors, in some lawful calling, as serv- 
ants, apprentices, mariners, or otherwise, until 
they shall be of full age respectively : or to con- 
tract for the service of such disorderly persons 
as shall be of full age with any persons as labor- 
ers, SERVANTS, apprentices, mariners, or oth- 
erwise, for any term not exceeding one year, 
which binding out and contracts shall be as valid 
and effectual as the indenture of any apprentice 
with his own consent and the consent of his pa- 
rent, and shall subject the persons so bound out 
or contracted to the same control of their masters 
respectively and of the court of general sessions 
of the peace as if they were so bound as appren- 
tices." 



rg 



old age a sound constitution, the result of & life 
of temperance and regularity, he is now in his six. 
ty-seventh year, as capable ot the endurance of 
exertion, whether of mind or body, as most men 
who are fifteen years his juniors. 

In his political opinions. Gen. Harrfeon Ins al- 
ways been a Democratic Republican of the Jpf- 
fersonian school. Though he received his first 
appointment us Governor of Indiana from Mr. 
Adams, and respected his revolutionary merit 
and integrity of purpose, he was a "decided 
opponent of his peculiar party measures and 
principles. The confidence of Mr. Jefferson and 
Madison, Gen. Harrison possessed and retained 
throughout their administrations. 

Having fixed principles, and always ready to 
maintain them, yet Gen. Harrison was never an 
active party man. Indeed, his history and scrvi- 
ces belong to no party or faction, bat to his conn- 
try. 

The character of Gen. Harrison is a fine model 
for the patriotic youth of America. Devoted to 
the glory and welfare of his country, they were 
always the chief objects of his solicitude in all his 
various public employments. His industry in the 
discharge of his duties was never fatigued. He 
brought to its aid and direction an honest heart 
and unclouded perceptions. Keen, prompt, and 
discriminating, his mind was happily adapted for 
laborious investigation, or the rapid decisions so 
often required in the camp and field of battle. 
His courage, both moral and physical, was of that 
order of which the hearts of heroes are composed. 
He never desponded in the darkest hour, when 
dismay and terror paralyzed all others around 
him. His Coolness and self-possession were as 
remarkable amidst the din of battle and showers 
of balls, as in the deliberations of the council. 
His resources of mind and indomitable pcrsevc. 
ranee and energy, no difficulties appalled, no dis- 
aster discouraged, no obstacle resisted. He pos- 
sessed that essential quality of a great commander, 
the art of fastening upon himself the affections of 
all his soldiers. They idolized him. Under the 
familiar designation of " Old Tip," his men would 
have followed him to the world's end. No Gen- 
eral ever possessed the faculty of converting raw 
militia so soon into steady and disciplined troops; 
and no American General ever won such victo- 
ries as Harrison with armies almost exclusively 
composed of citizen soldiers. He shared always 
the same fare with his soldiers, and cheerful !v ex- 
posed himself to the same weather and fatigue. 
During the whole period of his command he never 
inflicted on a militia soldier any degrading punish- 
ment. 

He was always foremost where danger and ex- 
posure were to be encountered. Indeed his offi- 
cers had frequently to interpose and entreat that 
he would withdraw from positions of imminent 
hazard. In the battles of Tippecanoe and the 
Thames, he led on in person, the most important 
and daring charges. His person was well known 
to the Indians generally, and no officer therefore 
in his army was exposed so likely to prove a mark 
for the rifleR of*hc enemy. 



But if his valor in the engagement shone con- 
spicuous, not the less washis humanity distinguish- 
ed in the flush of victory. His uniform order§ to 
his men were, that the cifusion of blood must cease 
with the strife, and that old age, women and chil- 
dren, were to be inviolably protected. 

As a Statesman, the views of Gen. Harrison are 
enlarged, comprehensive and liberal. They havo 
always been frankly published to the world. Up- 
on all vexed and contested questions, upon all sub- 
jects of national interest, — or w : hich have, or may 
become subjects of legislative consideration, his 
opinions are on record. They are explicit, clear 
and unequivocal. They are as well known, as 
those of any living Statesman. No one who wish- 
es to know Gen. Harrison's opinions upon polit- 
cal subjects need be ignorant of them. His letters 
to Harmcr Denny, of Pittsburgh, and Mr. Sherrod 
Williams, of Kentucky, in which his political 
views arc given at large, which were published four 
years ago, have been re-printed in every town 
and village of the U. States. Indeed he never 
was accused of non-committalism. It is not his 
character to conceal his opinions, or express them 
in ambiguous and equivocal terms. 

In private life Gen. Harrison is hospitable and 
generous. Plain and unostentatious in his dress 
and appearance, he is a kind and obliging neigh- 
bor, and always ready to throw open his doors to 
a guest, without distinction of persons. His old 
soldiers, frequently, in passing, resort to his house, 
and, in the emphatic language of one of them, 
" never find the siring of the latch pulled in." 

Like Washington, equanimity and moderation 
are prominent features in the character of Gen. 
Harrison. He was never known to indulge in 
transports of rage, or in any violence of denuncia- 
tion. As affable and polite to all, he was at the 
same time equally firm and immovable in the per- 
formance of his public duties. Pure and unspot- 
ted, through a life of temptation, he has never ex- 
hibited avidity for the honors or the emolument? 
of place or power. And now, from the quiet of 
his Farm House and the repose of a Veteran, the 
spontaneous voice of the country calls him to the 
chief place in the Republic. No intrigues with 
ambitious tools or corrupt parasites — no machina- 
tions, pursued through long years of dissimulation 
and duplicity, have obtained for him this loud- 
voiced summons to the chair of state. He has 
enjoyed the subservient and indefatigable plot- 
tings of no potent Regency, to. smooth ms access 
to the porches of the Presidency. He has receiv- 
ed the nomination of no imperious or " illustrious 
predecessor." When he assumes the place of 
f Magistrate, the " footsteps" in which he 
will tread, will be those of Washington, of JefTer. 
son, of Madison, and of the Genius of the Consti- 
tion. He is the man of the People ; and the 
People, not tho Politicians, have hung his ban- 
ncr on high, and given the watch-word — Harri- 
son and Reform. 

" Who is Gen. Harrison V said Col. Johnson, 
the present Vice President of the United States. 
" The son of one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, who spent the greater part 
of his large fortune in redeeming the pledgp ha 



19 



then gave, of his ' fortune, life, and sacred honor,' 
to secure the liberties of his country. 

"Of the career of Gen. Harrison. I need not 
speak— the history of the West is his history. 
For forty years he has been identified with its in- 
terest, its perils, and its hopes. Universally belo- 
ved in the walks of peace, and distinguished by 



his ability in the councils of his country, ho ha* 
been yet more illustriously distinguished in th* 
field. 

" During the late war, he was longer in activ* 
service than any other General officer ; he wai 
perhaps oftener in action than any one of them, 
and never sustained a defeat." 



ERRATA. 
In the third chapter it is stated that the alien time. Abundant testimony has been published, 
and sedition laws were enacted during the session showing conclusively Gen. Harrison's disappro- 
of 1799 and 1800— when Gen. Harrison sat as a bation of those laws at the time of their adoption. 
Delegate This is a mistake. They were passed See Judge Burnett's letter to Hon. Mr. South- 
during the session previous to that in which he gate, of Kentucky, in the Evening Journal of 
•at, consequently he was not in Congress at that May 6, 1840. 

FULLER & BLOOMER, PRINTERS, SENECA FALLS. 




1 



[From the Baltimore Republican, a Van Buren Paper which publishes the Laws -By Authority.'] 

"Give Gen. Harrison a barrel of HARD CIDER, and 
settle a pension of two thousand a year on him, and our 
word for it, he will sit the remainder of his days con- 
tented in his LOG C AB1TC___ 

LEAVES FROM HISTORY." enemies alone ; the American soldier willfol 
WHAT THE DEMOCRATS OF 1812-'13 low the example of his Government, and neu 
THOUGHT OF GEN. HARRISON. ther the sword of the one will ie raised a- 

[From the Albany Argus, of March 12, 1813.] gainst the helpless or the fallen, nor the gold 
There is an elegance approaching sub- 'of the other paid for the scalp of a massacred 
limity in ouc passage in the General Orders enemy. — — 

ofJan. 2, to the Northwestern Army under [From the same of Sept. 21 1813.] 

GENERAL HARRISON. These orders Major Croghan — This gallant young 
were issued in consequence of the return American has added new lustre to his char- 
of a detachment from a successful expedition acter, by repelling the insinuations which 
into the Indian country. The detachment had been promulgated prejudicial to l*en. 
had orders among other things, "to save Harrison. He states, that the order tor 
the women and children, and spare the war- him to abandon and burn the tort, was not 
riors that ceased to resist." After thanking delivered to him till it had become impru- 
the detachment for their attention to this dent, if not impracticable, to retreat, b> 
order, the general order proceeds : reason of a far superior force of the enemy 

Let an account of murdered innocence be having already surrounded him. He there- 
opened in the recor'ds of Heaven against our fore wrote aletter to the General,calculatea 



*0 



to deceive the enemy, and which he sup. 
posed would fall into their hands. It reach- 
ed the General, and the Major was arrest- 
ed ; but on an explanation taking placet 
his sword was immediately restored. 

"The measures adopted by Gen. Har- 
rison, (says Major Croghan,) so far from 
deserving censure, are the clearest pn 
of his keen penetration and able general- 
ship." 



[From the name, Nov. 2, 1813.] 
Wc have the satisfaction of announcing 
to our readers, that the United States brigs 
Niagara,Caledonia and IIunter,the schoon- 
ers Ariel and Provost, and the sloops Trip- 
pe and Little Belt, arrived oil* Buffalo Creek 
this day, with COM. PERRY and GEN. 
HARRISON on board. To describe the 
public joy exhibited on the appearance of 
the gallant and brave men, to whom the 
inhabitants on a frontier of a thousand miles 
owe their peace and security ; we will 
merely state, that the heroes were very 
handsomely saluted by Col. Chapin, from 
our battery with three hearty cheers, which 
was returned in a very appropriate manner 
by the fleet. 

[From the Albany Evening Journal.* 

GEN. HARRISON'S "FEDERALISM." 

* * * * * * 

But does the Argus really suppose that 
it can make any body believe that Harri- 
son was in fact a federalist and a support- 
er of the alien and sedition laws ? Let us 
examine the arguments by which it hopes 
to sustain the charge. 

The first and main reliance of the Argus 
seems to be upon an allegation made by 
John Randolph in the Senate of the United 
States, in March, 1826, twenty eight veers 
after the alien and sedition acts were pas- 
sed — that Gen. Harrison "was an open, 
frank, zealous supporter of those laws." — 
An extract from the speech of Mr. Ran. 
dolph, as reported in the National Intelli- 
gencer, is quoted by the Argus, which suf- 
ficiently proves that the charge was made. 
It is also true, as stated by the Argus, that it 
was made in the presence of Gen. Harri- 
son, then a member of the Senate. Upon 
these two truths the Argus bases a falsehood 
so shameless and base — so easily disprov- 
ed—so ridiculously absurd, that common 



t common decency, should ha vt 
suppressed its utterance. 

" In no part of Gen. Harrison s reply that 
wc /• 'gus, "did he de- 

ny the truth of Mt. Randolph' s allegation. — 
On the contrary he distinctly admitted it.'" — 
Now, in the same speech, reported in the 
same paper, and on the same page from 
Vrgus quotes two or three de- 
tach' 1 ! ntences of Gen. Harrison's reply 
to Mr, Randolph, we find him explicitly and 
unequivocally denying the assertion of that 



gentleman. 

After referring Mr. Randolph to the peri- 
od of their first acquaintance, (the session 
of 1799— 1800,) and mildly correcting the 
inaccuracies of his recollection, Gen. II. 
said : — 

" My opposition to the alien and sedition 
laics was so well known in the Territory, that 
a promise was extorted from me by my 
friends in the Legislature be which I was 

CD J 

elected, that I would express no opinions 
in Philadelphia which were in the least cal- 
culated to defeat the important objects with 
which I was charged. As I had no vote I 
was not called upon to express my senti- 
ments in the House. The Republican par- 
ty were, all in favor of the measures I wish- 
ed to have adopted. But the Federalists 
were the majority. Prudence, therefore, 
and my duty to my constituents, rendered 
it proper that I should refrain from expres- 
sing sentiments which would injuriously af- 
feet their interests, and which, if express- 
ed, could not have the least influence upon 
the decisions of Congress." 

Is this an admission of the charge made 
by Mr. Randolph? Did the Argus not see 
this lano-i,a"e when it extracted detached 
sentences from the same report of Gen. 
Harrison's speech which contains it? 

Where was Gen. Harrison when the a- 
lien and sedition acts were passed? He 
was at home in the North West Territory. 
Had he been an advocate or even an appro- 
ver of those acts, why did his friends, when 
they sent him as a Delegate to Philadelphia 
the following year, where Federalism was 
in the ascendency, extort from him a prom- 
ise not to give utterance to his " well known 
opposition" to those acts, least the majority 
should take offence at his sentiments, and 
thus defeat the objects of the Republican 
party which he was delegated to promote 7 



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